First record of the Austral Negrito (Aves: Passeriformes) from the South Shetlands, Antarctica

Abstract

The order Passeriformes is the most successful group of birds on Earth, however, its representatives are rare visitors beyond the Polar Front zone. Here we report a photo-documented record of an Austral Negrito (Lessonia rufa), first known occurrence of this species in the South Shetland Islands and only the second such an observation in the Antarctic region. This record was made at Lions Rump, King George Island, part of the Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 151 (ASPA 151). There is no direct evidence of how the individual arrived at Lions Rump, but ship assistance cannot be excluded.

Keywords

• Antarctica
• King George Island
• avifauna monitoring
• Lessonia rufa
• vagrant birds